Letters to the Editors

Ethnic slurs shouldn't diminish work of school finance director

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 19, 2000

Editor: The resignation of Hernando County School District Finance Director Sara Perez took place last week. Mrs. Perez worked diligently at "plugging in" actual numbers into our "TERMS" finance software, instead of relying on projections from years past. There were several differences in figures reported in the Times based on Mrs. Perez's calculations vs. those of the previous finance director, Vince Benedict. There have been some obvious tensions which have resulted from these findings.

However, Mr. Benedict has sunk to a very low level, indeed, by maligning Mrs. Perez's Mexican-American heritage. There is no place in our school system for such intolerance. We have clearly defined policies regarding harassment and discrimination. Our policies also prohibit the use of any words or actions that could, conceivably, be interpreted as creating a hostile working environment.

Mr. Benedict no longer works for the school district, having resigned last summer. His statement to your reporter that, "Maybe they don't have a Government Accounting Standards Board in Mexico," when, in actuality, Mrs. Perez moved to Florida from California, and then justifying his statement about Mexico with "Her name is Perez" is unbelievable in the year 2000, especially coming from a trained administrator.

There are educators, business professionals and taxpayers in our community who are grateful for Mrs. Perez's diligence and dignified manner. She is to be congratulated for maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity, especially given the environment in which she was working.

I know Mr. Benedict's ethnic slurs are not condoned by our school system. I also would like to assure Sara Perez that this type of behavior is not the standard of conduct supported in our community. I would like to wish her the happiest New Year as she moves back to California to be with her family.

A "thank you" should be extended to her for her efforts aimed at ensuring fiscal stability for our school district.
-- Gail Coleman, member Hernando County School Board, District 2

Community needs library more than swimming pool

Editor: This letter is in regard to the idea of a community swimming pool:

I believe a pool would be a nice luxury, but I know there is a higher priority of community needs.

In my mind, a large, well-equipped library would serve the needs of all segments of the community. Our children would have a better opportunity to tap the source of knowledge. Young adults would have a vehicle to improve their knowledge so as to improve their job and financial situation. The seniors would be able to enjoy the books, do research, use the computers and add quality to their lives.

Land already has been put aside for a library, and the other areas of the county have land put aside for parks or other community-related activities that can be converted into library sites.

To ask the school system to contribute half the cost of a pool is ridiculous. Money should be used for better programs in the school system.

A library can be utilized by all sections of the educational system, whereas a swimming pool would benefit only the few.
-- Evangeline Jenkins, Spring Hill

Delay in fixing of U.S. 19 is taking a toll on business

Editor: To the Hernando County Commission and to the Florida Department of Transportation: enough is enough!

I have written in humor before; I now write in earnest.

My wife and I own a business on U.S. 19. We own a service business, meaning people come to us for a service.

When I hear a client tell me they are afraid to come to us because the condition of the road is so bad they fear for their safety, I lose a client.

The construction, or lack of such, has gone on so long the batteries are dead in most of the warning lights on the road barriers.

We have fought long and hard to establish our business. You, whoever you are, are killing us. Enough is enough!

I call upon the other business owners and people concerned to aid me in getting this project completed. I have not worked this long and hard to have some government stipulation put me out of business.

You want new business in Spring Hill? Help us! What will it take to get the work on U.S. 19 done? Fix the road.
-- Jim Marsh, Spring Hill

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